Local gardaí and HSE launch new dementia initiative

A new initiative to support people with dementia was launched by An Garda Síochána and the HSE at a conference in Athlone this week.

At the international dementia conference in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Wednesday, the Gardai and HSE officially announced their support of The Herbert Protocol.

The Herbert Protocol is a form that holds important information about a person living with dementia, including a description of what they look like, a recent photo, any medicine they take, important phone numbers to call, and places from their past where they find comfort and familiarity.

The protocol was first established in the UK, where it has been used to help police and other agencies quickly and safely locate missing people who have dementia.

The protocol is named after George Herbert, a World War Two veteran who lived with dementia.

"After he went missing a few times, his local police realised they needed a better way to look after vulnerable people. The idea was to step in early and lower the risks, which led to the Herbert Protocol being created," a Garda spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the support of Gardai and the HSE for the Herbert Protocol "will raise awareness of this initiative nationally and help support the over 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland.

"If a loved one is reported missing, the family hands this pre-completed form directly to An Garda Síochána. This eliminates the need for Gardaí to conduct lengthy interviews during the critical first hour of a search, allowing Gardaí to deploy resources immediately to the locations where the person is most likely to be found."

The launch was described as representing "a significant step in community policing and integrated healthcare, ensuring that when a vulnerable person goes missing, the State’s response is both rapid and informed".

Commenting on the initiative, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing & Community Engagement, Catharina Gunne said: "An Garda Síochána works continuously with our partners to preserve and improve the safety of all members of our society.

"Our work with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, AGE Friendly Ireland, the HSE and other stakeholders has led to the adoption and support of the Herbert Protocol in An Garda Síochána, to ensure we meet the needs of the community and keep people safe.

"The Herbert Protocol has proven to be a very useful mechanism for sharing vital information in the early stages of an incident where a vulnerable person goes missing, and it is the hope of An Garda Síochána that the use of the Herbert Protocol in Ireland will provide some relief to families and carers at a very stressful and worrying time, resulting in swift, successful conclusions to incidents of missing loved ones."

Paul Maloney, National Dementia Services, HSE said: "Dementia affects the individual, and the entire family unit. Worrying about a loved one wandering is incredibly stressful for families.

"To help, we are using the Herbert Protocol, and it is fantastic to see An Garda Síochána embracing the use of this tool. It is a simple, proactive tool that helps families prepare key information."

The initiative was also welcomed by Kim Tully, CEO of Engaging Dementia, who said: "This protocol, and dignity to the person suffering from dementia, ensures that if a person becomes disoriented, their history and habits are already known to those who are searching for them.

"It is about preparedness, not panic," added Ms Tully.

The Herbert Protocol form is available for download from www.garda.ie and herbertprotocol.com with families being encouraged to keep a printed copy in a prominent place at home and to provide a digital copy to trusted family members.